Rare Bird Report #: 46-B-06

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES:

Short-billed Dowitcher

HOW MANY:

one

REPORTER:

Terry Gray
890 Stefany Ln
Moscow ID 83843
208-882-1585

REPORTER EMAIL:

clgtlg@genesee-id.com

OTHER OBSERVERS:


DATE REPORT PREPARED:


DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:

8/12/06

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:

Mann Lake
Lewiston Orchards
Lewiston, Idaho

HABITAT:

water

CONDITIONS:

Clear skies in mid 80's F.
Leupold 12x40 spotting scope
sun off my left sholder
bird approximately 60 feet away


DID YOU TAKE NOTES?:

No, not at all

DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?:

Yes, during the observation

WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?:

The Sibley Guide to Birds
National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America
Kaufman Focus Guides, A New Focus onthe Field Birds of North America

DESCRIPTION:

Shorebird, Short-billed Dowitcher
This bird was alone. It appeared to have very little color on its breast with heavy spots. Flanks were white with heavy bars and the belly was white.

BEHAVIOR:

This bird did not get close to other birds in the area. There were 7 Western Sandpipers in the same area but the dowitcher stayed 20 to 30 feet away from the other birds. It was mainly feeding in the mud and when it flew it did a distinct tu-tu-tu.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU?

The call when it flew and the very white belly is why I made my call as a Short-billed Dowitcher

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY?

The call tu-tu-tu and the white belly and very light overall color of the breast.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):

This is my third encounter with a Short-billed Dowitcher. Each time it has been a lone bird with no Long-billed Dowitchers nearby.

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:

I have been an active birder for the past 5 to 6 years and lead field trips for Palouse Audubon and Canyon Birders. Very familiar with birds in this area of Idaho

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?:

Photos (below)